Why you should take more risks
Remember what your brain does, a few valuable opportunities, and the reward of the blossom.
"Your brain is designed to keep you safe, not happy. Remember that."
Our ancestors had to worry about a lot in the wilderness. There were serious dangers that could kill them in an instant, like tigers or even other humans. The human brain has evolved to protect us from such dangers. It frequently defaults to the safest option in any given situation because the risk of not doing so would have been death.
Modern times are different. The risks are not as severe. Very, very few of them are life-threatening, yet they often lead to great life experiences.
Taking risks like public speaking, starting a business, or falling in love has the potential to make you very happy. The worst that can happen is really not that bad, and the best is phenomenal! If you want to experience the best that life has to offer, taking risks is the way.
"Excuses will always be there for you. Opportunities won't."
Any time, any place, any situation, you can make up an excuse for why you shouldn't do something. It's so easy: you feel tired, it's not the right time, you're not ready......
Your capacity for making excuses will always be there.
But the great opportunities in your life won't be.
Every so often, life presents you with an opportunity to experience something great. Compared to excuses, the number of these opportunities is very very few.
Muster up the courage to capture those opportunities. Although they are few in number, they have the most powerful influence on the trajectory of your life. They are worth taking the risk of putting all the energy you can into them.
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
When deciding whether or not to do something new, most people only think of the risk of taking action. However, the more important thing that they overlook is the fact that there is also a major risk in not taking action.
The choice to not do something may protect you from the downside, but it also closes you off from the upside which is potentially much greater.
Starting a business could make you more money than you ever dreamed of
Travelling to an exotic destination solo or with a loved one could make you lifelong memories
Reading a book that has even just one great idea could change your mindset for the better
The point is, whether you choose to act or not you are taking a risk. Oftentimes, the risk of taking action is easily justified by the potential upside.